Router - connectivity for some- not others

[ash7]

I have a D-Link WBR-1310 version D1 that is connected to a cable modem.
4 ports- 1 used for VoIP phone.
1 PC desktop connected - no issues.
1 MAC laptop hardwire connected- no issues.
1 ACER laptop can connect via wireless.

Cannot get my Win98 OS Acer laptop to connect wireless or hardwired.
Last port is active (checked with MAC laptop)

Actually shows an active connection but cannot connect to the internet or Outlook.

Any ideas???

[johnhook]

ash7,

Are you running any Internet security or Firewall software on that Win98 Acer laptop? If so, what is the software/version?

Connect to the router and reboot that Acer laptop. Open up a command prompt and type:

IPCONFIG /ALL > C:/ipconfig.txt

type exit to get out of the DOS prompt.

Browse your C:\ drive and open ipconfig.txt. Select all of the text and past it into your reply message here. Do the same with a WORKING PC (not the MAC) attached to that router so I can compare IP addresses and IP settings.

- John

[ash7]

Windows Firewall

ACER- (not working)
Windows IP Configuration
Host name ...acer 2e68c49b20
Primary Dns Suffix...
Node type ...Hybrid
IP Routing enabled ...no
WINS Proxy enabled ...no

Ethernet adapter Local Area connection:
Media Status ...Media disconnected
Description ...SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
Physical address 00-c0-9f-d4-45-70

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Connection Specific DNS Suffix ...
Description ...Broadcom 802.11g Network Adapter
Physical address... 00-14-a4-37-f8-d0
Dhcp enabled ...Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled ... Yes
Autoconfiguaration IP Address ... 169.254.163.178
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Default gateway ...
Primary WINS server 192.168.0.1

Working PC ipconfig:
Physical address 00-13-20-88-7f-d8
IP address 192.168.0.102
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Default gateway 192.168.0.1
DHCP Server 192.168.0.1
DNS server 192.168.0.1

[johnwill]

On the non-working one, have you tried connecting with a wired connection? If that also fails, try this.

TCP/IP stack repair options for use with Windows XP with SP2.

Start, Run, CMD to open a command prompt:

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands:

Note: Type only the text in bold for the following commands.

Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults, type: netsh int ip reset reset.log

Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults, type: netsh winsock reset catalog

Reboot the machine.

[johnhook]

ash7,

I agree with johnwill - try connecting the Acer via wired connection to your router and see if you're able to connect.

The information in your posts tells me that your Acer's wireless adapter isn't connecting to your router - based on the IP address and lack of gateway address. Is there a wireless discovery tool on your Acer that lets you browse for available WiFi networks? If so, I'm thinking it's trying to connect to some nearby WiFi network other than your own.

- John

[ash7]

We replaced the router... everything works now.
I really appreciate your help, the speed of your response and your expertise. This is in no way a slam against you or your service but Is there a way to check hardware in these circumstances vs. software? I spent over 8 hours trying to resolve this issue from a configuration stand point where if I would have taken a hammer to my router...

[johnhook]

ash7,

Sorry that you had to go through all of that. Unfortunately - there was no way to know that your D-Link router was bad since it was working with all of your other devices. If there was a bad port on it - you could have tried swapping devices to different ports. As I understand it, your problem was with a wireless connection - so swapping Ethernet ports wouldn't apply.

D-Link products are very inexpensive and have lots of nice features - unfortunately, it's been my personal experience that their wired & wireless routers are notoriously flaky and unpredictable. They'll work fine - then for no reason - something will stop working. Usually power resetting them fixes this, and in some cases, factory resetting them via the reset button fixes these problems. BIOS upgrades on these devices, for me, have caused more problems then they've fixed.

Given the fact that all of your other devices connected to that router were working fine - it seemed like an issue with the network config on your Acer laptop - NOT with the router.

I personally would avoid D-Link. Go with Linksys, Apple AirPort or Netgear. Others will say D-Link is great - but I've had NOTHING but problems with their routers.

- John